Enhancing astronomical exploration with the GMT/MANIFEST

Tayyaba Zafar, Ummee Tania Ahmed, Michael Goodwin, Alexandar Ji, Scott Croom, Sarah Martell, Steven L. Finkelstein, Anilkumar Mailvaganam, Tamal Mukherjee, Jon Lawrence, Jessica Zheng, Vitor Neves-Hartmann, Thais Santos-Silva, Sree Oh, José Luis Carrillo Martinez, Matthew Colless, Andrew M. Hopkins, Magda Arnaboldi, Céline Péroux, Warren R. BrownCharlie Conroy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

MANIFEST is a fibre-fed positioning system designed to enhance the capabilities of the 24.5m Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). For the first light 14 arcmin field-of-view (FoV), MANIFEST will use the GMT’s current planned instruments: G-CLEF (an echelle resolution spectrograph) and GMACS (low/mid resolution spectrograph). MANIFEST will connect with these existing optical spectrographs and offer three multiplexing and deployable integral field unit (IFU) modes. In the future, a full 20′ FoV mode will be offered using a near-infrared spectrograph. Its unique features include high multiplexing, deployable IFUs, increased spectral resolution, and the potential for simultaneous observations with multiple instruments. MANIFEST will support four key science cases: galactic archaeology, dynamical masses of local dwarf galaxies, galaxy stellar kinematics, and unveiling the reionisation epoch with Lyα. In addition, simulations comparing Starbugs, pick-and-place, Starspines, and Theta-phi positioning technologies determined that the pick-and-place robotic solution offers optimal performance, reliability, and adaptability while minimising technical risk with off-the-shelf components. MANIFEST’s advanced capabilities will ensure efficient survey operations and maximise scientific output, making it a pivotal tool for the GMT.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGround-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy X
EditorsJulia J. Bryant, Kentaro Motohara, Joël R. D. Vernet
Place of PublicationBellingham, Washington
PublisherSPIE
Pages1309610-1-1309610-14
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9781510675162
ISBN (Print)9781510675155
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
EventGround-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy X - Yokohama, Japan
Duration: 16 Jun 202421 Jun 2024

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
Volume13096
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceGround-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy X
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityYokohama
Period16/06/2421/06/24

Keywords

  • fibre-fed positioning system
  • G-CLEF
  • GMACS
  • IFU
  • MANIFEST
  • multiplexing

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